National Parks slams professor

THE emotion-charged debate surrounding the draft zoning plan for the Solitary Islands Marine Park continued yesterday, with the National Parks Association lashing out at a professor for claims made at a pro-fishing group meeting on Monday.

Speaking in Coffs Harbour, University of Canberra Emeritus Professor Robert Kearney launched a scathing attack on the draft policy, stating it was based on “faulty science” and “fatally flawed”.

“The greatest threats to marine life, coral reefs and fish species don't come from fishers; they come from on-land activities, yet the department has demonised prawn trawling with no scientific evidence,” Professor Kearney said.

But National Parks Association spokesman Ashley Love said Professor Kearney was simply “taking easy shots” on a small government department.

“The Marine Parks Authority is tiny by government standards; many of its resources are committed to policing fishing regulations and it is held tightly under the government's rein,” he said. “Professor Kearney seems to spend more time at anti-marine park rallies than undertaking scientific research.”

This Sunday fishermen will campaign for changes to the draft policy in a protest rally in Coffs Harbour.